Corporate Advocacy Program: The best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Hiding negative complaints is only a Band-Aid. Consumers want to see how businesses take care of business. All businesses will get complaints. How those businesses take care of those complaints is what separates good businesses from bad businesses.

I have just gotten back from a haircut at your Amar, Walnut (California) branch. Let me tell you --- it was a beyond terrible experience. It has traumatized me. I am so upset that I left the store unsatisfied and determined never to step into that Fantastic Sam's again, in fear that I will be treated the way I was today. Let me explain..

It started off when I walked in the door. I was quite apprehensive about getting a haircut but I had heard of Fantastic Sam's reputation and their great service and the ease they would give a customer receiving a haircut. However, my experience was quite the opposite. I had decided what type of haircut I wanted but I had forgotten to bring a picture.

I told the lady this, and she simply threw some magazines at me and said, "Look through these." After giving me two minutes to browse the magazines she said rather impatiently, "Are you done yet?" Without giving me time to reply, she said, "Fine. I'll take the next customer." This little event did not anger me but made me feel uncomfortable that she did not seem to care for my welfare at all but that I was just another customer..
Finally, I had decided on a haircut.

The stylist "Babes" (that is her name --- i will never forget her name) took me in after I showed her the style I wanted. She then brought me over to the sink to wash my hair. Now this experience was one that was terrible. The water was freezing cold. I tried to tell her this but she insisted that the water was warm. However, I think I know what warm water feels like ..

I do take a shower everyday. Now, onto the actual haircut.. if that's what one would like to call it.. I call it the experience I would prefer to forget. She sat me down in the chair and began to brush. She claimed that she was trying to get all the tangles out but in my preference she could have done so without buffetting my head back and forth as though my head were a punching bag to be rocked back and forth.

I've had previous experiences at other salons and not one has ever treated me like this.. not one has ever complained incessantly about brushing the knots out of my hair. In fact, other salons have complimented my hair. Babes actually took my head in her two hands and squeezed it in place saying in an indignant manner to "Keep your head in place!" But the thing was, how could I keep my head in place..

How could anyone keep their head in place when she was yanking and pulling on my hair without even holding the hair down to ease the pain of taking out the knots? Finally, the torture was over and she took the black robe off for me to see my "haircut." Usually, stylists ask the client how he likes the haircut but Babes didn't even stick around, much less ask me how I liked my haircut. I was in the middle of my sentence "It's layered, how.." when she said "I can help the next customer" and Babes was off walking with her next customer for her next shampoo leaving me standing with my mouth open in shock.

Although, I still needed to talk with Babes. I examined my haircut and could not even tell it was layered, much less that I had gotten a haircut. My cousin who was also with me could not tell either. I had to speak with Babes. I decided to wait patiently until she finished washing the next customer's hair. (something I must mention that she certainly lacked : patience) After waiting five minutes, Babes was finally done washing the customer's hair and I had my chance to speak with her.

I began, "Excuse me, do I really have three layers?" Babes' reply was so rude that there is no other way to describe it. She openly showed her ill-tempered manner when she threw her hands up as though to put them on her hips and shook her head condescendingly toward me and grunted. Then she rudely replied or retaliated "What did I tell you, weren't you listening?!!" I was in shock.

I could not reply to what she had just said to me.. her tone and body language hurt and shocked me. I had never been treated this way. Was I not a paying customer just like everyone else? Don't I deserve to be treated with some sort of respect? I gave up. I decided to leave. Unsatisfied. I could take no more. I asked to pay.

Even while collecting my money, the lady showed no compunction for her actions. She collected my money and before I could say "thank you," she stormed off to her customer without even telling me, "thanks for coming to fantastic sam's." My trip at Fantastic Sam's began with no greeting and ended with no goodbye.

I'm sorry that I chose Fantastic Sam's or I'm sorry that I encountered Babes. I'm also sorry to do this but I must tell everyone about my terrible experience in hopes that they do not have to experience what I have gone through. I have already spread the word to my friend who was a previous Fantastic Sam's customer and she has vowed never to go there again.

My auntie has also made the same promise. I'm sorry that you have already lost not only me as a customer but two other customers who were once loyal. I hope to save them from such agony from a bad haircut, lack of courtesy, and reserve their money for courteous service.

Corporate Advocacy Program: The best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Hiding negative complaints is only a Band-Aid. Consumers want to see how businesses take care of business. All businesses will get complaints. How those businesses take care of those complaints is what separates good businesses from bad businesses.

AUTHOR: Melissa - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, October 15, 2006

POSTED: Sunday, October 15, 2006

hello my name is melissa i worked @ fantastic sams in barstow ca. this is where i began my career as a hairstylist. I recieved top notch training that i have carried with me throughout my career. iwas also tought about customer service they are always right and you should do watever it take to make them feel comfertable and leaving with a smile only to come again and again as a return client because of the great service all around.I recently relocated to oregon and sadly there aren't that many sams around here.I have been @ a smart style salon about 2 years now and in this short time i have gained a huge clientel due to what i learned @ a fantastic sams.that was a great salon and a great owner thanks mike.

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

POSTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

While the incident reported here happened long before we owned this salon, I believe Kristy might have brought this to the owner's attention or reported it to the corporate office by telephone or through the Fantastic Sams website,http://fantasticsams.com/ before writing this report.

Kristy would have gotten a response to her complaint and most likely would have been satisfied with the outcome.

Fantastic Sams is serious about customer satisfaction and goes to great lengths to continuously educate our stylists so they can best serve our guests. While the type of incident reported happens rarely, these are taken seriously.

When I purchased the Walnut salon I understood that there were problems with stylists and as a result the salon was doing poorly.

Since we have taken over, we have built a loyal customer base that continues to grow. Our customer base is growing because we pay attention to our guests needs, provide excellent service and make sure that our salon is well staffed.

I extend to Kristy and all others who might be reading this the invitation to visit us. I am confident that you will have an enjoyable experience but more importantly, receive professional hair service that is the equal of the best available.

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

POSTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

While the incident reported here happened long before we owned this salon, I believe Kristy might have brought this to the owner's attention or reported it to the corporate office by telephone or through the Fantastic Sams website,http://fantasticsams.com/ before writing this report.

Kristy would have gotten a response to her complaint and most likely would have been satisfied with the outcome.

Fantastic Sams is serious about customer satisfaction and goes to great lengths to continuously educate our stylists so they can best serve our guests. While the type of incident reported happens rarely, these are taken seriously.

When I purchased the Walnut salon I understood that there were problems with stylists and as a result the salon was doing poorly.

Since we have taken over, we have built a loyal customer base that continues to grow. Our customer base is growing because we pay attention to our guests needs, provide excellent service and make sure that our salon is well staffed.

I extend to Kristy and all others who might be reading this the invitation to visit us. I am confident that you will have an enjoyable experience but more importantly, receive professional hair service that is the equal of the best available.

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

POSTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

While the incident reported here happened long before we owned this salon, I believe Kristy might have brought this to the owner's attention or reported it to the corporate office by telephone or through the Fantastic Sams website,http://fantasticsams.com/ before writing this report.

Kristy would have gotten a response to her complaint and most likely would have been satisfied with the outcome.

Fantastic Sams is serious about customer satisfaction and goes to great lengths to continuously educate our stylists so they can best serve our guests. While the type of incident reported happens rarely, these are taken seriously.

When I purchased the Walnut salon I understood that there were problems with stylists and as a result the salon was doing poorly.

Since we have taken over, we have built a loyal customer base that continues to grow. Our customer base is growing because we pay attention to our guests needs, provide excellent service and make sure that our salon is well staffed.

I extend to Kristy and all others who might be reading this the invitation to visit us. I am confident that you will have an enjoyable experience but more importantly, receive professional hair service that is the equal of the best available.

AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

POSTED: Friday, June 09, 2006

While the incident reported here happened long before we owned this salon, I believe Kristy might have brought this to the owner's attention or reported it to the corporate office by telephone or through the Fantastic Sams website,http://fantasticsams.com/ before writing this report.

Kristy would have gotten a response to her complaint and most likely would have been satisfied with the outcome.

Fantastic Sams is serious about customer satisfaction and goes to great lengths to continuously educate our stylists so they can best serve our guests. While the type of incident reported happens rarely, these are taken seriously.

When I purchased the Walnut salon I understood that there were problems with stylists and as a result the salon was doing poorly.

Since we have taken over, we have built a loyal customer base that continues to grow. Our customer base is growing because we pay attention to our guests needs, provide excellent service and make sure that our salon is well staffed.

I extend to Kristy and all others who might be reading this the invitation to visit us. I am confident that you will have an enjoyable experience but more importantly, receive professional hair service that is the equal of the best available.

AUTHOR: Michael - (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Thursday, March 17, 2005

POSTED: Thursday, March 17, 2005

i work in batavia,ny at a fantastic sams. i have an awesome manager and the owners are the greatest! we ,including myself treat every guest with the utmost respect. we make everyone comfortable while waiting,during the service and after they leave. you cant put down a whole company because of a rude few. i suggest you write to the owner,not the corp headquarters in anaheim,ca. each salon is individually owned and operated

AUTHOR: Melinda - (Albania)

SUBMITTED: Wednesday, April 14, 2004

POSTED: Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Hello, My name is Melinda and I am an employee of the Fantastic Sam's in Jackson Ohio! Although I nor my regin of Sam's had anything directly to do with your day of misery, Let me apologise on behalf of any decent stylist anywhere! I too have had bad experiences prior to joining the business 10yrs. ago! Unfortunatly there are stylists out there who give the rest of us a bad name!

It is my sugestion that in the future...if the stylists looses your confidence at any point...ask for the manager on duty! You are their #1 responsibility from the moment you entered the door-no excuses! there is always a higher step to be taken if you don't recieve the satisfaction from that individule-let them know that!

I am proud to say that I work for Fantastic sam's and I assure you that there are alot of possitive experiences to be had with our company! I hope you got your money back and were also treated to a V.I.P. cut with the manager of that salon! Good luck- If you are ever in Jackson ohio look us up because I know our staff can reaseure your fears and concerns with Fantastic Sams!

AUTHOR: Becky - ()

SUBMITTED: Monday, September 30, 2002

POSTED: Monday, September 30, 2002

After reading the report about the poor girl who went to Fantastic Sam's, I had to write to say that not only did I get a strange looking haircut, but the stylist handed me the blow-dryer to dry it myself, as she was in a hurry to clean up her station at the end of the day!

AUTHOR: anti - ()

SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 11, 2002

POSTED: Sunday, August 11, 2002

You did not mention, if "Babes" was the only employee there? Is she the owner/manager? (I hope not.) I would recommend you to contact the manager of this branch. Send/give him/her a copy of this report.

Here is the corporate address for Fantastic Sams, send them your letter/e-mail:-)

Corporate Advocacy Program: The best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Hiding negative complaints is only a Band-Aid. Consumers want to see how businesses take care of business. All businesses will get complaints. How those businesses take care of those complaints is what separates good businesses from bad businesses.